Photography Blog

Off the Wall: Brenda and Pedro

Here’s a wonderful outtake from Mona Reeder’s in-depth look at the continuing issue with lead contamination in West Dallas and Frisco that ran as a three-part series written by Valerie Wigglesworth and published in in December. The church was a source of several splendid images. The Burden of Lead series can be seen HERE.

Mona Reeder/staff photographer

Sister Brenda Shanks, left, and Prophet Pedro Reyes, right, shared a lighter moment between worship services Saturday, December 01, 2012, at the Liberty in Christ House of God church in West Dallas. The church believes that Saturday is the Sabbath and holds its church school and worship services on Saturdays. Located on Muncie Avenue in West Dallas, the yard around it tested higher than acceptable for lead exposure, and was recorded as the highest amount in all of the soil samples collected by the Dallas Morning News team. Several generations attending church in the tiny clapboard structure have grown up there, playing in the area where their children and grandchildren now play, planted gardens in the contaminated soil - the produce used in congregation dinners - and many of the parishioners still live on Muncie Avenue or keep animals there.

Off the Wall is a weekly installment showcasing some of the good work that’s currently on the wall in the DMN building.

Top Picks

ArchivesAbout This Blog

About this Blog

Photo blog is the official blog of The Dallas Morning News’ Photography staff. Our mission is to create an informal community of readers who are interested in all aspects of still photography and video.